Also opening Oct. 6 is the Windows Marketplace, Microsoft’s app store for all 6.X Windows phones, which we’re interested to see how it pans out.

And yes, they renamed it from Windows Mobile 6.5 to Windows Phone OS 6.5, my o my, why was that done? Doesn’t it look like iPhone OS, Palm WebOS, Android OS ? Anyway, there are good things to discuss about.

Phone Availability

Which models will receive updates, it’s not precisely known, but most new phones will ship with Windows Phone 6.5

North America, AT&T, Sprint, Verizon Wireless, Bell Mobility and Telus will have phones from HP, HTC, LG, Samsung and Toshiba; while in Europe Orange, Deutsche Telekom AG and Vodafone will have devices from Acer, HTC, LG, Samsung, Sony Ericsson, and Toshiba.

Asia will be supported by the same manufacturers as Europe, but the mobile operators will include: NTT DoCoMo, Softbank, SK Telecom, Telestra, and Willcom inc.

Latin America so far only has support from TIM Brazil, but that carrier will have phones from HTC, LG, and Samsung.

Stephanie Ferguson, General Manager of Business Experience on Microsoft’s Mobile team this morning said,

“You’ll see new Windows phones designed for a variety of tastes, needs and price points – with or without keyboards, with or without touch screens, as well as your choice of GPS, accelerometer and high resolution camera. There are a lot of great options and we can’t wait to show them to you. Until then, keep an eye on our partners as they announce details on new Windows phones and where you can find them this fall.”